Multi-resolver rotation angle sensor with integrated housing

ABSTRACT

A rotation angle sensor includes: (a) a multi-resolver housing with a high precision structure; (b) stator terminals that do not cause deformation or loosening of terminal pins from the substrates to which they are attached; and (3) a signal line connection structure that is not affected by thermal stress. The housing ( 10 ) includes divisional housings ( 10   a   , 10   b ), and one resolver is installed in each of the divisional housings ( 10   a   , 10   b ). The divisional housings ( 10   a   , 10   b ) are assembled by aligning respective openings therein in an axial direction. The lead lines of stator windings are connected to printed circuit substrates ( 51 ) installed on insulators ( 20   a   , 20   b ) , and pins ( 54 ) connect the printed circuit substrates ( 51 ) to a connecting signal output line via flexible connectors ( 61, 64 ).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 10/897,439, filedon Jul. 23, 2004, which is based on and incorporates by referenceJapanese Patent Application No. 2003-201485, which was filed on Jul. 25,2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a rotation angle sensor incorporatingat least two resolvers, and in particular to a rotation angle sensorthat detects the amount of relative rotation of an input axle and anoutput axle of, for example, an automobile power steering device thatmanipulate a steering device torsion bar as a result of their relativerotation.

A rotation angle sensor may be used in conjunction with a power steeringdevice to detect a relative turning angle of an automobile steeringwheel for steering control-related applications. Specifically, thesensor detects the amount of relative rotation of an input axle and anoutput axle arranged on the steering device torsion bar when resolversrespectively rotate the input axle and the output axle.

As shown in FIG. 5, a first resolver 101 in a conventional rotationangle sensor secures one end of a torsion bar 103 to the input axle (notshown), a second resolver 102 secures the other end to the output axle(not shown). When the power steering device (not shown) causes the inputaxle and the output axle to rotate, the torsion bar 103 is twisted, andthe resolvers 101, 102 detect the amount of relative rotation of theinput and output axles.

An input side cylindrical rotor 104 is fastened on the input axle sideof the torsion bar 103, and an output side cylindrical rotor 105 isfastened on the output axle side. In addition, a housing 106 surroundsthe circumference of both rotors 104, 105 as well as both stators (anexemplary stator 118 is shown in FIG. 6).

As shown in FIG. 6, the input side resolver 101 includes a firstmagnetic circuit with a ring-shaped first yoke 107 that is provided inthe inner circumference of the housing 106 and a first coil 108 that isprovided inside the first yoke 107. Furthermore, the first magneticcircuit also includes a ring-shaped second yoke 109 that faces the firstyoke 107 and that is fastened on the outer circumference of the inputside cylindrical rotor 104, and a second coil 110 that is providedwithin the ring-shaped second yoke 109.

The input side cylindrical rotor 104 also includes a third yoke 111 thatis fastened on the circumference thereof, and a third coil 112 that isconnected to the second coil 110 on the circumference of the third yoke111, and that has two types of coils with respective phases shifted by90°. The stator 118, which is provided on the inner circumference of thehousing 106, includes a fourth yoke 113 and a fourth coil 114 thatrespectively face the third yoke 111 and third coil 112 of the inputside cylindrical rotor 104. Similar to the third coil 112, the fourthcoil 114 has two types of coils with respective phases shifted by 90°.Lead lines 115, which are connected to the first coil 108, and leadlines 116, which are connected to the fourth coil 114 of the stator 118,extend externally from the housing 106.

The output side resolver 102, which has the same structure as the abovedescribed input side resolver 101, is provided between the output sidecylindrical rotor 105 and the housing 106.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the step 117 at the center portion of therotation angle sensor in FIG. 5 spaces the resolvers 101, 102 apart fromone another and acts as a stopper to limit the amount that the resolverscan be moved inwardly in an axial direction toward one another. Both ofthe lateral sides of the step 117 actually maintain the resolvers 101,102 in their respective positions as shown.

Although the torsion angle of the torsion bar 103 is relatively small,the torsion bar 103 nonetheless rotates while in a torqued state.Therefore, the resolvers 101, 102 that are connected thereto arerequired to have a high detection precision relative to the entirecircumference of the torsion bar 103. However, it has been difficult torealize such a high level of detection precision over the entirecircumference of the torsion bar 103 with conventional rotation anglesensors.

The above-mentioned conventional rotation angle sensor has additionallimitations. For example, it is difficult to manufacture, and it isdifficult to connect the lead lines 115, 116 of the rotor and statorcoils, such as the coils on which the detection signals are output to aprocessing control device (not shown). In addition, it is difficult toalign the two resolvers 101, 102 in the housing 106, and to manufacturethe housing 106 with the amount of precision that is required for theabove application. Furthermore, whether the rotation angle sensor isnon-defective or defective can be determined only after both resolvers101, 102 are arranged in the stator 118.

In response to the above-mentioned limitations, resolver configurationssuch as the one shown in FIG. 7A provide first and second resininsulation caps 203, 204 on a ring-shaped steel core, or stator stack,202 that includes stator windings 201. The term “axial direction” willrefer to the lengthwise direction of a rotation shaft extending throughthe resolver.

The pins 205 project from the first insulation cap 203 and the printedcircuit substrate 206 a, which are arranged in parallel with, and on oneside of, the second cap 204. The pins 205 are implanted by impact orinsert molding into the second insulation cap 204. On each of these pins205, the stator windings 201 are connected by the winding hook 207. Thetip of each of the pins 205 and the wiring pattern of the printedcircuit substrate 206 a are connected by soldering. Therefore, theprinted circuit substrate 206 a is fastened to the stator windings 201by the pins 205 so that it extends outwardly in the axial direction fromthe first insulation cap 203 in a floating manner. The wiring pattern ofthe printed circuit substrate 206 a is connected to external signaloutput lines (not shown).

The first and second insulation caps 203, 204 are directly provided onthe stator stack 202, and therefore are directly affected by heatgenerated by the stator 201. Further, the exemplary stator 201 in FIG.7A is only a single stator. Therefore, if two stators such as the oneshown in FIG. 7A are required, the stators have to be provided inparallel to conform to a housing such as the one shown in FIG. 5. In thesingle stator example of FIG. 7A, the end of the stator windings arehooked on the pins 205 provided on the circuit substrate 206 a, and thepins 205 are wired to the external signal output lines 214 (FIG. 7C)through the printed circuit substrate 206 a. Therefore, if two statorsare implemented together, the stators must be connected to the externalsignal output lines 214 in a manner such as that shown in FIGS. 7B and7C.

Specifically, the circuit substrate 206 a, which is a signal relayingsubstrate for a first of the two stators 201, includes an L-shaped pin211 soldered to a connecting substrate 213, which in turn is connectedto the signal lines 214. Similarly, the circuit substrate 206 b, whichis the signal relaying substrate for a second of the two stators 201,includes an L-shaped pin 212 also soldered to the connecting substrate213.

The housings required for the resolvers shown in FIGS. 5 and 7A-7Ctypically have several limitations. For example, because the housingsare thin and relatively long, high production yield is difficult toachieve. In addition, inspection of the resulting rotation angle sensorfor deformation caused by installation of the resolvers can be carriedout only after both resolvers are installed in their respectivehousings. Therefore, if one of the two resolvers is defective, the othernon-defective resolver is also not usable. Still further, when the tworesolvers are aligned at their respective zero points within theirrespective housings, the resolvers have to be fastened during alignmentof the two stator stacks, thereby increasing the complexity of assembly.

In addition, the hammering of the pins, such as the pins 205 in FIG. 7A,into the second insulation cap 204 often causes deformation or crackingof the insulator resin of the second insulation cap 204 or a deformationof the pins themselves. Also, as the temperature of the stator stack 202increases, the pins 205 have a tendency to loosen from the secondinsulation cap 204 due to the expansion and softening of the insulationcap resin.

Still referring to FIGS. 7A-7C, because the circuit substrates 206 a,206 b are formed from materials such as resin, the substrates havedifferent thermal expansion coefficients than the pins 205. Therefore,when the circuit substrates 206 a, 206 b are connected to the statorwindings using the pins 205, the stress due to thermal expansion andcontraction that is repeatedly applied to the connecting junction tendsto disconnect the pins 205 from the circuit substrates 206 a, 206 b.

While the floating structure of the circuit substrates 206 a, 206 breduces the stress due to thermal expansion and contraction, such astructure does not completely remove the stress. In addition, alignmentof the pins 205 is difficult. Therefore, to maintain the precision ofthe location of the pins 205, the precision of the elements and theinstallation precision have to be precisely controlled.

Therefore, what is needed is a multi-resolver rotation angle sensor thathas a single integrated housing, an external signal output lineconnecting terminal that does not require terminal pins to be hammeredtherein, and a simplified wiring configuration that minimizes theeffects of thermal stress on connection points between the resolverstator and stator wiring connections.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above-mentioned limitations, the multi-resolver rotationangle sensor of the present invention includes a housing with a highprecision structure, a terminal that connects to a resolver stator andthat does not cause deformation or loosening of terminal pins from anassociated stator insulator, and a connection structure between resolverstators and a signal output line that is not affected by thermal stress.

The housing is divided into two or more divisional housings, and oneresolver is installed in each of the divisional housings for sensing arotation angle at respective portions of a rotating member extendingaxially therethrough. The plurality of divisional housings are weldedaround axially oriented adjacent openings therein.

Regarding the terminal, lead lines of the stator windings are connectedto the wiring of a pair of printed circuit substrates that are relayingsubstrates. One of the pair of printed circuit substrates includes aplurality of pins, as well as a reinforced substrate and a wiring leadportion through which the plurality of pins are fastened. Because theterminal pins are fastened to the printed circuit substrate, the printedcircuits thereon are not easily deformed, and the terminal pins are notloosened, even at high temperatures.

Regarding the connection structure, a connection substrate is fastenedto the housing for connecting respective lead lines of stator windingsto an external signal output line or lines. The lead lines of the statorwindings are connected to the connection substrate either directly orvia flexible connecting lines such as magnet wires or flexible printedcircuit substrates that extend from the relaying substrate to which thelead lines are connected. The lead lines, magnet wires or flexibleprinted circuit substrates provide absorb distortion and vibrationgenerated by thermal stress to maintain the external electricalconnection between the stator windings and the connection substrate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate viewsand which, together with the detailed description below, areincorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to furtherillustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles andadvantages all in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 is cross-sectional view in the axial direction of a housing for amulti-resolver rotation angle sensor according to one preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows an insulator for a resolver stator of the type utilized inthe rotation angle sensor of the present invention; FIG. 2B iscross-sectional view of the insulator taken along line A-A′ in FIG. 2A;FIG. 2C is a side view of the insulator viewed from side C in FIG. 2B;FIG. 2D is an enlarged view of the circled section of the insulator inFIG. 2C; FIG. 2E is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E′ in FIG.2A and viewed in the direction of arrow D; FIG. 2F is a cross-sectionalview of the insulator taken along line F-F′ in FIG. 2A; FIG. 2G is across-sectional view of the insulator taken along line G-G′ in FIG. 2A;and FIG. 2H is a side view of the assembly of insulators and anexemplary stator stack utilized in the rotation angle sensor of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3A shows an exemplary stator assembly that includes an insulator ofthe type shown in FIGS. 2A-2H; and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view ofthe stator assembly taken along line H-H′ in FIG. 3A.

FIGS. 4A-4C are cross-sectional views of a two stator assembly connectedin various configurations to a printed circuit substrate of the typeshown in FIGS. 3A-3B and installed in the housing shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art rotation angle sensor.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a resolver used in the priorart rotation angle sensor of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7A is an explanatory view of a stator terminal and thecorresponding connecting configuration for connecting the statorterminal to external signal output lines in a prior art rotation anglesensor; FIG. 7B more specifically illustrates the connectingconfiguration of the stator terminal of FIG. 7A; and FIG. 7C shows twostator terminals and corresponding connecting configurations forconnecting the stator terminals to external signal output lines in aprior art rotation angle sensor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The rotation angle sensor of the present invention will now be describedin detail in accordance with the drawings. Illustration and descriptionof components such as resolver rotors are omitted where not necessaryfor one skilled in the art to understand the present invention. Thestructure of the housing, the supporting structure of the terminal pinsand the overall rotation angle sensor structure will be described inorder.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the housing 10 of the multi-resolverrotation angle sensor of the present invention, with the arrow Adefining the direction through which a rotating member (not shown; seetorsion bar 103 in FIG. 1 for an example of such a rotating member)having a rotation angle to be sensed by the rotation angle sensor of thepresent invention extends through the housing 10. The housing 10 isformed from a stainless steel or an aluminum alloy and includesdivisional housings 10 a, 10 b that are welded together by aligning andadjoining the respective opening edges along small diameter sections 11a, 11 b thereof. The resolvers (not shown) contained in each of thedivisional housings 10 a, 10 b are provided so that the respectiveresolver zero points (rotation reference points) are matched.

As discussed in more detail below, the divisional housings 10 a, 10 bcan be divided at a location such as, for example, steps 17 a, 17 bsimilar to step 117 of the conventional housing shown in FIG. 5 in thevertical direction with respect to the arrangement of the resolverscontained therein. Therefore, manufacturing precision can be increased.In addition, defects can be detected when only one resolver is assembledinside one of the divisional housings 10 a, 10 b after the resolver hasbeen assembled.

The divisional housings 10 a, 10 b are structured to each accommodateone resolver. Therefore, any number of divisional housings can beassembled to contain a like number of resolvers, so that the relativerotation angle of a corresponding number of detection points of arotating member can be measured. The order in which the divisionalhousings are connected is determined by taking into account parameterssuch as, for example, the effect of noise on stator output windings (notshown).

The divisional housings 10 a, 10 b respectively include theaforementioned small diameter sections 11 a, 11 b, as well as mediumdiameter sections 12 a, 12 b and large diameter sections 13 a, 13 b. Thesmall diameter sections 11 a, 11 b enable resolvers to be respectivelypositioned and separated within the divisional housings. Specifically,the small diameter sections 11 a, 11 b, when welded together aroundperipheries thereof, function as stoppers similar to the step 117 shownin FIG. 5. However, the open sections may be located anywhere in thedivisional housings as long as the divisional housings 10 a, 10 b can becombined into the single integrated housing 10.

The medium diameter sections 12 a, 12 b are respectively locatedadjacent to the small diameter sections 11 a, 11 b, and are formed toaccommodate resolver stators (not shown) in a manner such that thestators face one another. The large diameter sections 13 a, 13 b are forhousing components other than stators such as, for example,non-contacting power source transformer windings (not shown) as requiredto prevent noise that is generated by such components from adverselyaffecting the rotation angle detection signal.

As described above, each of the divisional housings 10 a, 10 b can beindividually inspected for defects, such as deformation, due to resolverinstallation prior to the divisional housings being welded together.Therefore, unlike conventional resolver housings, which cannot beinspected for defects until after being assembled, only non-defectivedivisional housings can be assembled, aligned and welded.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2H, the supporting structure of the terminalpins, and more specifically the connecting structure for the lead lineof the resolvers contained in the divisional housings, 10 a, 10 b willbe described. As shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2C, an insulator, alsoreferred to as a stator insulator or insulator 20, hereinafter alsoreferred to as an insulator, is ring-shaped. As shown in FIG. 2B, theinsulator 20 includes projecting portions that project outwardlytherefrom in both the right and left axial directions, represented byarrow B and arrow C, respectively, from a ring-shaped junction 32 thatis located approximately in the center of the insulator 20. Theinsulator 20 is made of synthetic resin material having a thermalexpansion rate of 0.00003 cm/C°, such as PBT glass (30%), with amagnetic cover 31 having the same shapes and numbers as the magneticpoles (not shown) of the stator yoke (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 2E, a substrate support 21 is shown in the crosssectional view taken along line E-E′ in FIG. 2A and viewed in the planardirection indicated by the arrow D. The substrate support 21 includes ajunction surface 26, which is located on the left hand side of the ringjunction 32 in FIG. 2B, and which is the approximate center of thesubstrate support 21. Stator windings (not shown) cross over a crossingstep 24, and a step 23 prevents detachment of the stator windings thatcross over the crossing step 24. A supporter 22 projects in a taperingmanner outwardly relative to the step 23 and the junction surface 26. Aslot insulator 25 forms the lower edge of the junction surface 26.

FIG. 2F shows a cross-sectional view of the magnetic cover 31 takenalong line F-F′ in FIG. 2A. The magnetic cover 31 includes a ring-shapedconnector 32, a concave coil winding portion 33 and a coil stopper 34.The coil stopper 34 forms the lower edge of the concavity defined by themagnetic cover 31 on the right side of the drawing relative to thejunction surface 35 (corresponding to the junction surface 26 describedabove).

FIG. 2G is a cross-sectional view taken along line G-G′ in FIG. 2A ofthe crossing portion 41. The crossing portion 41 is provided with aconcave groove 43 in which the stator windings are hooked, and a step 42for preventing windings from detaching, with the step 42 forming onelateral wall of the concave groove 43 on one side of the ring-shapedjunction 32 (corresponding to the junction surface 26 and 35 describedabove). On the opposite side, a slot insulator 44 forms the lower edgeof the junction surface 45, with the junction surface 45 corresponding aleft-hand side of the ring-shaped connector 32 relative to FIG. 2B.

Supporters such as the exemplary supporters 22 in FIGS. 2B and 2E areprovided to support a ring-shaped circuit substrate, such as the printedcircuit substrate 51 shown in FIG. 3A. As shown in FIG. 2A, thesupporters 22 are provided at locations corresponding to every second orthird stator winding crossover portion 41 on the ring-shaped connector32.

As shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D, the slot insulators 25, 44 on the left-handside of the ring-shaped connector 32 are each formed in an approximatesideways square U-shape in order to penetrate into each slot, such asthe exemplary slot 27. The slot insulators 25, 44 may be formed, inprinciple, in any shape as long as they adhere to the respectivesurfaces of the slots.

Referring now to FIG. 2H, insulators 20A, 20B are arranged on andmounted to both sides of a stator stack 28. The insulators 20A, 20B arearranged so that the slot insulators 25, 44 face the stator stack 28.The insulators 20A, 20B are inserted so that the slot insulators 25, 44are inserted into the slots 27 of the stator stack 28 and fastened tothe stator stack 28. When each of the magnetic poles of the statorassembly are temporarily assembled as described above, electric wiresare coiled in order via crossing steps 24 and concave grooves 43.

The ends of the electric wires are connected to wiring on the statorcoil side of the ring-shaped printed circuit substrate 51, also referredto as a relay substrate, shown in FIG. 3A. The printed circuit substrate51 is provided with a projecting wiring lead portion 52 at one location.Except for the wiring lead portion 52, the printed circuit substrate 51is formed in a ring shape that is approximate to the lateral side of thestator yoke. Holes 55 are defined in the printed circuit substrate 51 inwhich the supporters 22 of a corresponding one of the pair of insulators20A, 20B are secured (represented generally by the insulator 20 in FIG.3A).

A reinforced substrate 53 is mounted on the wiring lead portion 52.L-shaped pins 54 penetrate and fasten the wiring lead portion 52 and thereinforced substrate 53 and at the same time are connected to the wiringof the printed circuit substrate 51.

FIGS. 4A-4C are cross-sectional views in the axial direction of twostators each including the aforementioned printed circuit substratesinstalled in its housing, with illustration and description of thecorresponding rotors being omitted.

More specifically, FIG. 4A shows printed circuit substrates 51 connectedto a connecting substrate 62 by flexible printed circuit substrates 61,with each of the flexible printed circuit substrates 61 including abacklash. In FIG. 4A, each of the stators has two corresponding printedcircuit substrates 51 that are positioned to face each other in each ofthe small diameter sections 11 a, 11 b of the respective divisionalhousings 10 a, 10 b and to contact the stator stack 28. The lead portion52 and reinforced substrate 53 of each of the printed circuit substrates51 are inserted through slits 66 located on the upper side of each ofthe respective divisional housings 10 a, 10 b.

On the housing 10, the printed circuit substrate 62 for the external, orsignal output, line connection is fastened via a supporter 63. Duringassembly of the supporter 63 to the housing 10, a transformer winding(not shown) for providing electricity to the respective outsides of thering-shaped printed circuit substrates 51 is provided as required.

Because the L-shaped pins 54 of the printed circuit substrates 51 andthe connecting substrate 62 are connected by the flexible printedcircuit substrate 61, heat distortion and vibration of the ring-shapedprinted circuit substrates 51 is absorbed and attenuated by the flexibleprinted circuit substrate 61 and is not transferred to the connectingsubstrate 62.

FIG. 4B shows printed circuit substrates 51 connected to the connectingsubstrate 62 by flexible electric wire 64, with the flexible electricwire 64 including a backlash. The two-stator configuration shown in FIG.4B is similar to that shown in FIG. 4A, except that the flexibleelectric wire 64 is used to connect the L-shaped pins 54 of the printedcircuit substrates 51 and the connecting substrate 62 instead of theflexible printed circuit substrate 61 in FIG. 4A. Other structures ofFIG. 4B are the same as those in FIG. 4A, and therefore the descriptionthereof is omitted.

FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional showing lead lines 65 of stator coils beingconnected directly to the connecting substrate 62, with the lead lines65 each including a backlash. The two-stator configuration shown in FIG.4C is similar to those shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B except that the printedcircuit substrates 51 are omitted so that the stator stacks 28 directlycontact the small diameter sections 11 a, 11 b of each of the divisionalhousings 10 a, 10 b, and the respective ends of the stator coil leadlines 65 are directly connected to the wiring of the connectingsubstrate 62.

In addition to the aforementioned embodiments, additional connectingconfigurations for connecting the stator stacks 28 to the connectingsubstrate 62 may be utilized as long as the ends of the stator coilwindings, or the pins 54 of the printed circuit substrates 51 connectedto the ends of the stator coil windings, are connected to the wiring ofthe connecting substrate 62 for signal output line connection so thatthermal distortion and vibration of the ring-shaped printed circuitsubstrates 51 are absorbed and attenuated and therefore are nottransferred to the connecting substrate 62.

The above-described housing configuration of the rotation angle sensorof the present invention decreases the total length of each of thedivisional housings and therefore increases manufacturing precision andreduces the manufacturing complexity. Also, as resolver components areassembled in separate divisional housings, separate testing of each ofthe individually housed resolvers can be performed, and the divisionalhousings welded, so that the final rotation angle sensor can bestructured only with non-defective components. Also, when the resolversin each of the divisional housings are aligned, all divisional housingsare welded while the zero positions of each of the resolvers ismechanically or electrically aligned so that the resulting housingmaintains an accurate zero position of each of the resolvers containedtherein.

In addition, the rotation angle sensor of the present invention isstructured so that insulators are not provided on the top and bottom ofeach stator stack, and terminal pins are not hammered into theseinsulators. As a result, deformation or cracks of the insulator anddeformation of the pins is prevented. Each of the stators in themulti-resolver rotation angle sensor of the present invention isinsulated by insulators with supporters on both sides of the statorstack. Once the stator windings are coiled, the lead lines of the statorwindings are connected to the wiring of printed circuit substrates, andthe printed circuit substrates are supported by supporters projectingfrom the insulators. Therefore, terminal pins are not required forsupport, and terminal pin installation problems in prior art rotationangle sensors can be avoided.

Because the terminal pins are fastened to the printed circuitsubstrates, the printed circuits thereon are not easily deformed, andthe terminal pins are not loosened, even at high temperatures.

The connection between the printed circuit substrate and the connectingsubstrate for establishing a signal line connection in each of thedivisional housings may be established by a flexible connecting linethat absorbs distortion and vibration generated by thermal stress tomaintain the electrical connection. In addition, because a printedcircuit substrate is used for the lead line connection, the amount ofbacklash of the lead line from the coil winding to the printed circuitsubstrate can be appropriately gauged to improve product reliability andextend product life.

The disclosure is intended to explain how to fashion and use variousembodiments in accordance with the invention rather than to limit thetrue, intended and fair scope and spirit thereof. The forgoingdescription is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the inventionto the precise form disclosed. Modifications or variations are possiblein light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen anddescribed to provide the best illustration of the principles of theinvention and its practical application, and to enable one of ordinaryskill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments andwith various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scopeof the invention as determined by the appended claims, as may be amendedduring the pendency of this application for patent, and all equivalentsthereof, when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which theyare fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

1-9. (canceled)
 10. A stator configuration for a multi-resolver rotationangle sensor, comprising: at least two stators, each including: aring-shaped stator stack; a pair of insulators each located on one sideof the ring-shaped stator stack, each being ring-shaped to correspond tothe ring-shaped stator stack, and each including a plurality ofsupporters projecting orthogonally from a respective surface thereof; apair of printed circuit substrates each defining a plurality of holes inwhich the plurality of supporters of a corresponding one of the pair ofinsulators are secured, and each being connected to respective leadlines of the stator windings to relay rotation angle signals from thestator windings.
 11. The stator configuration of claim 10, furthercomprising a plurality of pins secured to one of the pair of printedcircuit substrates to connect the respective lead lines of the statorwindings to an external signal output line.
 12. The stator configurationof claim 11, wherein the pins are connected to the external signaloutput line through flexible connection lines to absorb distortion andvibration generated by thermal stress to therefore maintain anelectrical connection between the respective lead lines of the statorwindings and the external signal output line.
 13. The statorconfiguration of claim 12, wherein the flexible connection lines eachcomprise one of a flexible printed circuit substrate and a flexiblewire.
 14. The stator configuration of claim 12, wherein each of theflexible connection lines includes a backlash.
 15. The statorconfiguration of claim 12, further comprising: a housing in which the atleast two stators are mounted; and a connection substrate fastened tothe housing for connecting the flexible connection lines to the externalsignal output line.
 16. The stator configuration of claim 10, furthercomprising: a housing in which the at least two stators are mounted; anda connection substrate fastened to the housing for connecting therespective lead lines of the stator windings to an external signaloutput line.
 17. The stator configuration of claim 11, wherein each ofthe pair of printed circuit substrates is ring-shaped to correspond tothe ring-shaped stator stack, and the one of the pair of printed circuitsubstrates that includes the plurality of pins includes a reinforcedsubstrate and a wiring lead portion through which the plurality of pinsare secured. 18-20. (canceled)